The Apparition of Andy Harris

Andy Harris is a feisty guy. He stands by his principals and refuses to back down. I don't have a problem with Andy Harris or his beliefs. He'd be an easy win in Western Maryland.

You'll recall that Andy Harris single-handedly gave the Democratic Party the Maryland 1st District, which is Harford County, parts of Baltimore County, and the Eastern Shore. This is not Western Maryland. The Maryland 1st district in a moderate Congressional district. Harris is no moderate. However, he defeated moderate Republican Wayne Gilchrest in the Republican primary election. Harris was then was defeated by Democrat Wayne Kratovil in the general election. Maryland had 2 Republicans in Congress. Now we have one.

Fortunately for Harris, the Congressional elections are every 2 years and it was mid-term for him and his state senate seat. He could comfortably run for the Congressional seat without worrying about losing the State Senate seat if he lost. This time it is a different story.

Andy Harris has given every indication that he will again run for election in the Maryland 1st District against Frank Kratovil. However, Frank Kratovil is no dummy. In the highly controversial Healthcare Reform bill, better known as socialized healthcare, Frank Kratovil was one of only a handful of Democrats to vote against this trillion dollar boondoggle. Who's the moderate?

Furthermore, Martin O'Malley bedfellow Jim Smith, the current Baltimore County Executive, recently put his house up for sale and announced his intentions to move to Andy Harris' district with full intentions of running for his State Senate seat. Well known to the area, Jim Smith is a sure win. And Jim Smith is an unapologetic tax and spend, toe-kissing liberal extremist. When Martin O'Malley says to jump, Jim Smith asks how high.

So because Andy Harris is showing intentions of abandoning his seat in the State Senate, the Republicans will lose yet another vote. Furthermore, Kratovil is turning out to be more moderate than anyone expected. The Maryland 1st District, as I mentioned, likes their moderates. And Andy Harris is no moderate.